Community Response Team Newsletter Public Health & Emergency Preparedness Updates
August 10, 2022
Dear Community,
After so many weeks at high levels, it is with a bit of relief and cautious optimism to see Marin County COVID case levels drop to the medium tier of community transmission. However, it does not mean that the virus is disappearing anytime soon. And instead, the rate of transmission appears to be lessening. The tools we've shared many times on this platform (such as indoor masking, vaccinations, and testing) still work. Speaking of vaccinations, Marin County is now offering the Novavax vaccine, which is an FDA-approved protein-based vaccine. The Novavax vaccine is a viable first series option for unvaccinated adults 18 and older in Marin County and was found to be 90% effective against mild, moderate, and severe disease in the company's phase three clinical trial involving 30,000 participants ages 18 and older.
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, Marin County Public Health has kicked off a series of forums for a safe return to school with a Public Health Update for school leaders with Dr. Matt Willis and Dr. Lisa Santora. This forum s part of a series for the school community. The next one is Monday, August 15, at 4 PM on Zoom. Here's how to participate:
By phone: (408) 638-0968; ID: 883 4879 8206; Passcode: 273959
It's also important to talk about another virus present in California: Monkeypox. Although the risk of contracting Monkeypox remains low for most people, there is an increase in cases, and it is important to understand how the virus is transmitted. There is an excellent factsheet from CPDH in English here and Spanish here. Get status updates on the Monkeypox at Marin HHS here.
As disaster preparation is an important topic this time of year, ReadyMarin has updated its website and is an excellent resource for preparing for emergencies. Also, consider having an extra N95 mask in your at-home emergency kit or your emergency go-bag. N95, KN95, and KN94 masks help filter unhealthy particles in smoke and help protect your lungs in smokey conditions.
Finally, the West Marin CRT will also be at the Inverness Fair this weekend! We will have prizes for those that sign up for alert systems or our newsletter. We will also have free COVID tests and masks, so stop by.
Take care and stay safe,
The West Marin Community Response Team
Public Health Hosts Back-to-School Town Halls
Marin County Public Health kicked off a series of forums for the safe return to school with a Public Health Update for School Leaders yesterday. The online update included input from Dr. Matt Willis and Dr. Lisa Santora to help school superintendents, principals, and staff prepare for the start of the 2022-23 school year.
Click the image above to watch the recording of the forum.
Save the Date
A second forum, COVID-19 Public Health Update for the School Community, will take place Monday, August 15 at 4:00 PM. This forum will be for parents, teachers, staff, administrators, students and community members. The presentation will be recorded. Live Spanish translation will be available.
By phone: (408) 638-0968; ID: 883 4879 8206; Passcode: 273959
Vaccination Appointments
Bolstering our immunity against COVID-19 is of utmost importance, especially with the continued presence of the highly contagious BA.5 dominant in our community. Fortunately, we have access to vaccines which are a FREE and effective resource for keeping us protected. If you know someone who is still in need of a vaccine or booster shot, please share the list below with them!
ALL LOCATIONS OFFER 2ND BOOSTERS FOR 50+
Upcoming Vaccination opportunities will be available at the following Mobile Health Clinic Pop-Ups. Please see the details below.
Ritter Mobile Health Point Reyes Station
West Marin Community Services
August 26, 9-11:30 AM
11431 CA-1, Suite 10 (Mesa Rd.)
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Bolinas
Bolinas Community Center
August 26, 1-3 PM
14 Wharf Rd.
Bolinas CA 94924
Support is here for West Marin Residents impacted due to COVID illness who could be eligible to receive financial assistance from West Marin Community Services.
For further information, applications or questions, please contact:
Yareli Cervantes
Emergency Assistance Program Manager, WMCS
Phone: 415-663-8361 ext. 304
Email: ycervantes@westmarincs.org
Free Take-Home COVID Rapid Testing
West Marin Locations
If you have tested positive, whether by rapid take-home test or PCR, please do not come to testing distribution for a take-home test until days 5 - 10 from your initial positive test result. If you were exposed, please do not test until at least two days after the exposure and test again on day five. Remember to report your test with a self-test reporting form.
Bolinas
Thursdays, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, and Upon Request
Bolinas Community Center
14 Wharf Street
Bolinas, CA 94924
Inverness Firehouse
Monday thru Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 50 Inverness Way, Inverness, CA 94937 Please call ahead for an appointment to pick up tests at 415-669-7151.
Point Reyes Station
Mondays and Wednesdays: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fridays:1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
West Marin Community Services
11431 Highway 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
San Geronimo Valley closed 8/11 and reopens 8/18
Thursdays: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The San Geronimo Commons (formerly the golf course)
At the Drive Thru Pantry
5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
San Geronimo, CA 94963
Tomales
Thursdays: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Tomales Town Hall (Food Pantry)
27150 Highway 1
Tomales, CA 94971
West Marin Community Services and San Geronimo Valley Community Center distribute tests and masks to local community-based organizations. If you are a business in need of tests or masks please get in touch with Seamus Tomkins at 415-663-8361 ext. 302
Keep Some High-Quality Masks for Wildfire Season
The high-quality masks we rely upon to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection can also minimize the risk during wildfire smoke.
Wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, making you cough and wheeze and making it hard to breathe for some people. If you have asthma, another lung disease, or heart disease, inhaling wildfire smoke can be especially bad for you.
The best way to protect yourself from the wildfire smoke is to stay inside as much as possible and not exercise or do other activities that make you breathe deeply. If you cannot stay inside or away from smoke, a particulate respirator mask – such as the n95, KN94, and KF95 mask – can help protect your lungs. However, it's important that the mask is worn correctly: it should seal tightly to your face so that the outside air won't leak inside.
Do not use cloth or surgical masks during times of bad air quality – they cannot filter out harmful particles and won't protect your lungs from wildfire smoke.
Consider having an extra N95 mask in your at-home emergency kit or your emergency go-bag.
COVID-19 Treatment Information
If you have COVID-19, have symptoms, and are at higher risk of getting very sick, you can get medicines that treat COVID-19 and help keep you out of the hospital. Get tested right away if you are at high risk and have symptoms, even if they are mild. If you test positive, ask for treatment right away. Learn more in Englishand Spanish.
Where to access Paxlovid in West Marin
West Marin Medical Center(Test to Treat Location)
11150 Highway One
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Coastal Health Alliance(can write prescriptions for treatment) Locations: Point Reyes Station
3 6th St
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Bolinas
88 Mesa Road
Bolinas, CA 94924
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
West Marin Pharmacy(Paxlovid available with a prescription)
11 4th St
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Although Monkeypox is rare and currently a low threat to the general public, there has been an increase in cases around the world and in California. That is why it is important to know the facts about this virus and how it is spread.
Are you under or uninsured and in need of healthcare services? There are a few upcoming pop-up free healthcare events that will have a variety of services available in both Point Reyes Station and Bolinas. Please look at the details and flyers with the services provided below.
Ritter Mobile Health
Point Reyes Station West Marin Community Services August 26, 9-11:30 pm
11431 CA-1, Suite 10 (Mesa Rd.)
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Bolinas Bolinas Community Center August 26, 1-3 pm
14 Wharf Rd.
Bolinas CA 94924
You can learn more about the services offered in English and Spanish here.
How to Sign Up for Alert Marin
Everyone in Marin should be signed up for Alert Marin. By signing up, you will receive information specific to your address. Alerts include events like imminent flooding, wildfires, and evacuations with life safety implications.
Are You or a Loved One Experiencing Mental Health Challenges?
Starting in September, The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Marin will be creating a peer-led support group in Point Reyes Station for any adult with a loved one who has symptoms of a mental health condition.
Please forward this message to contacts who would like to subscribe to our email newsletter. Help us keep West Marin informed about COVID-19 and emergency readiness.